Day 66!

It is hard not to be super stressed as a teacher. A teacher in English or the humanities is especially stressful thanks to reading and grading. It's often an adventure but time evaporates.

As the school year spirals to an end, I know that I must make time for myself and just keeping swimming. Thus, happiness is:

Going to bed at a decent time, even though there is still work to do.

I shall sleep now to fend off exhaustion and allergies, then arise early to finish up my last few things.

Keep calm and carry on is fast becoming a mantra.

Day 65!

One thing that makes me happy as a teacher is when a lesson sparks a lot of discussion. It creates energy in the room and is fun to be involved in.

My Picasso lesson did that yesterday. Some students really liked his works and others did not, but they all had things to say about the pieces and found them very rich in detail. Even if he's not your style, there's definitely talent and messages in his paintings.

Guernica, one of the main large prints in our exhibit.

The twisted limbs and odd angles generated a lot of curiosity and theories. I'm excited to see what they will write tomorrow.

Otherwise, yesterday actually made me very tired. These allergies are killing me and when I got home, I was mentally and physically tired. Hopefully the weather settles soon and my allergies will leave!

Day 64!

I am freaking out a little bit here! There are only 7 weeks left of school and THE AP EXAM IS NEXT FRIDAY!

The end of the school year is a freight train and I'm a damsel tied to the tracks.

See that metaphor? Pyscho English teacher alert.

Nonetheless, I have found a positive!

I came up with two exciting lessons this week for my AP students that combine exam prep, check-in and work time for their projects, and Picasso!

Yep, I said Picasso! The AP Language exam is all about non-fiction and that includes being able to write about art/monuments/media/ads. The freshman English teach won a grant to bring a Picasso exhibit to our school and I'm very happy to have found a cool way to incorporate it into our curriculum.

Yay fun lesson ideas!

Day 63!

So. Much. Travel.

I felt like I didn't stop moving this vacation. That made it both good and bad; it was fun but went so quickly and was tiring. Today I had to travel back to my apartment and the long drive was just a culmination of movement.

One thing I love about getting back is getting to settle in.

Happiness is cutting up groceries and being all organized!

I have a ton of work ahead for myself this week but I am here and I am settled and I know what I am teaching tomorrow. I am good for now and that is enough for tonight, right?

I'm sensing you might see a cup of coffee as my happiness pic for the next week straight....

Day 62!

Any day that involved playoff hockey is bound to be exciting!

As I write, the Bruins have sent the wings packing and are gearing up to have a go at the Habs (boo hiss). LA is still hanging on by down right dominating San Jose 3 nil at the start of the third. If I weren't so tired, I would stay up to watch. I hope the Kings hang on and stay for another game. They're absolutely my West Coast team.

Today I had a great time at Buffalo Wild Wings with my dad cheering on the B'a!

It was a long day involving traveling back from Boston, the gym, a LOT of hockey, and doing paperwork, but it was a good day.

May it continue!

Day 61!

This day has been one for the record books in terms of business and travel. I headed to an early morning meeting, then back and to the gym, tidied up, and then caught the bus to Boston.

Tonight was time for the Alpha Iota's alumni ceremony. It is hard to believe that they are all graduating this year...it is sometimes hard to remember how much time has passed.

Actives & Alumni: So productive and good looking!

It was a lovely night and time. I was very happy to have made it down. <3

Day 60!

I could not be happier for the result of tonight's heart stopping hockey game! Overall, today was productive with getting work done, getting to the gym, and then being able to enjoy the game.

Dad & I watching the game!

While we'd planned to head to Bdubs, we couldn't get a table and blasted our way home. We made it right as the period started, ordered some pizza, and cracked open a beer.

It was playoff hockey at it's finest! What an OT goal to win it all!

Day 59!

Today was very productive and good, despite the dreary weather. In fact, the productivity may have been because of the dreary weather. It's impossible to resist being outside on nice spring days.

Smokey is just as tired as I am. We're getting ready for bed!

The nice thing about vacation is getting to go to the gym mid morning on a weekday. It's usually quiet with just a few folks who are off and the elderly. It makes it much more fun because I can actually get parked without having a stroke.

I spent a lot of the day doing paperwork, which, while not terribly excited, needed to and did get done. Hopefully good will come of it all! In the end, I was just glad to get most of it done.

This evening my family watched Frozen, haha. We have a thing for cute Disney movies that we make my dad watch (his thing is more for 80's action movies). He did quite enjoy Olaf and Sven, no matter what he might tell you.

The only downside to the day was being really thrown by this awful allergy attack. I'm just hoping some sleep will make it pass!

Day 58!

Today was very busy and exhausting, but good!

I got to hit up the gym with Dad and then run a bunch of shopping errands with mum. By the end of today, all four of us have downloaded runkeeper and MyFitnessPal. Fingers crossed we can do this together. A nation divided shall fall but a nation united shall get fit!

I ended the night with Bruins after some tasty Chinese, drinks, and chatting with my great friend. It's so nice just to relax and chat and relax together. Beware Head Hunters at Szechuan's, though. Delicious but man did they make me SUPER tired!

Meet the newest member of our family, Joey!

Joey says "Hey, how YOU doin'?!" Like his namesake on Friends. :) He is now very happily nomming on algae. Yay Joey!

Day 57!

Today was a day to remember how amazing of a city Boston is and how much of my heart it possesses.

My brother and I watched the marathon from his apartment and quickly became invested in the elite runners and their stories: from Van Dyk's amazing 10th victory, McFadden's triumph over adversity, Meb's amazing men's win at 39, to the heartache of seeing Shalene fall behind after setting that amazing pace.

It was exciting to watch and just feel the tension and triumph.

While I was surrounded by fluffy cats, I was immersed in both the feat of the marathon and in it's significance. Boston is not a city to back down; more runners ran than almost ever and over a million watched in person. Boston won't ever back down and that's what makes it so amazing.

Boston Strong.

Day 56!

Sunday was a great and exhausting adventure day in Boston. I was glad to be able to make it down and spend time with my brother.

Us at the USS Constitution!

We checked out the Constitution, which was awesome to see again. I started a National Parks Passport! Hopefully one day I will get to see them all at some point.

We then watched the FANTASTIC Bruins game at the North Star bar near The Garden. The good was good, the beer nice, and the waitstaff good.

Next we headed for tapas at Tasca out in Brighton. It was amazing as before and the Sangria is top notch. We also had an orange flavored Creme brûlée which was very interesting.

We caught the last commenter rail back to his apartment and then I passed out, surrounded by kitties.

Day 55!

It was nice to just have a very toned down day. Sure, it required some like thinking, but just being away from things is good.

I also had an enjoyable evening at the Barley House for drinks with friends, several I haven't seen in years.

Amazing how some things change and others don't... ;) haha

It was good to just go out and be normal and get to go to my hair salon. The benefits of one stylist for 10 years: all excitement, zero nerves, always happy. The downsides of one stylist for 10 years: she's far away, infrequent chances to get cuts because she's FAR :( Id never let another soul touch my hair, however.

Now I'm exhausted but ready to continue my travel whirlwind via a trip further south to see my brother tomorrow!

Day 54!

Today was the crazy last day before vacation. It was busy and kids were ready to go; the usual for days like this.

I packed up as quick as I could, ran my errands, then began the long trek home. After a quick stop to get my fish, Nicola Tesla, inside, I headed over to meet friends for boardgames.

I was probably a bit crazy with exhausted delirium, but it was a blast!

Posing during our epic game of Love Letter!

Never too old for boardgame nights!

Day 53!

Today was a rough day. We get closer to vacation and the kids really start to lose it, I think. There is, however, a difference from being a little louder and distracted [I can manage that and plan for it, no prob], and being rude. There's a line, gentlemen.

Plus, having a horrid headache and dealing with allergies so did not help. Stupid weather changes.

Also, dear train, WHY THE HORNS AT 12:30? I can be asleep and hear them. Granted, I no longer live next to a train transfer station, but still.

Most of my day was actually rather fine, just one tough period. Gatsby kids struggled but got some good symbol analysis done and my Shakespeare kids didn't want to stop acting. Imagine, a room of only boys acting a Shakespeare comedy and wanting to keep acting and thus choosing to write at home. Glory.

Speaking of Shakespeare...

My way of dealing with being wired and yet unable to do something productive.

Twelfth Night's amazing movie version! Love it, so, so much. Makes me want to teach it someday.

Shakespeare can always make me happy, haha. I'm a nerd, sorry not sorry.

Day 52!

Despite the fact that Spring seemed to forget it had started to arrive, I was able to find things to enjoy.

Firstly, the delay allowed me the chance to Facebook message with a best friend. Time differences are such a pain, so this was a nice surprise.

Secondly, I still went for an evening walk in the brisk air and it was quite beautiful out.

Sun beginning to set and a view of the mountains.

The day had melted the snow it began with so I did go out walking. I live just a street up from the lake, so I meandered down and saw some lovely views as the sun started to turn the sky pink and the lake water peaking through the ice started to reflect it. It was peaceful and made me happy.

Until tomorrow.

Day 51!

Today was a good, albeit long, day. I think my Gatsby kids are getting there. It's slow, but they were coming up with good ideas on symbolism so I have that we'll get there yet! Got in a good lesson on word choice in WWI poetry today as well!

Check out the poem "Vigil," if you get a chance. Beautiful poem.

What made me happiest today?

My dad texted me this picture of our snoozing kitty!

I am super excited to travel home for a vacation during Spring break and have some time with mi gato. :) I miss having a cat around!

At the moment, my fingers are crossed and hoping Spring will consistently show up so I can reliably start walking to work!

Day 50!

I absolutely cannot believe that I am halfway through! This challenge has taught me a lot about valuing the small things. Even if I have a terrible day, there has always been one tiny thing for even one tiny second that made me smile. I overlooked that a lot, but now I document it.

Day 50's Celebrate Small Happiness Winner: ICED COFFEE WEATHER!

I know it's really foggy and miserable looking out there, but the day became 70 and sunny with the loveliest blue sky. I am so energized for Spring!!

Day 49!

Today, it snowed.

Despite that horrifying fact, Spring was in my blood. The start of Spring manifests in one, vivid and paralyzingly way each year: Spring cleaning obsession. I am already neurotic when I full-on clean, but the Spring Clean is a frightening condition. I have, in past years, been known to hole up in my room for days, barely coming out except for meals as I clean and reorganize and terrorize dust bunnies.

I am attempting to avoid it with shorter 3-4 hour bouts of cleaning. Today was round 1.

Organized and clean beureau makes me happy!

I actually really like to clean and organize once I start. It's a bizarrely satisfying thing to do. Today, I accomplished laundry and unpacking and dishes and kitchen, along with paperwork and living room decluttering. I've also begun to air the place out and look forward to planting on my fire escape soon. Dusting and scrubbing come next. :)

For someone that values clean and order, stress yields stuff everywhere. Hence, obsessive cleaning sprees.

And by cleaning, I mean organizing. I am a cluttered human, not a dirty one.

Also, why in the world did I just write a whole blog entry on cleaning?

Day 48!

Today I did not want to wake up in the morning. I was definitely running a bit behind schedule (which gets me in 40 min early so no real worries). Saturday school days remain rough; thankfully, only one more to go.

Attendance was a bit lower than last time , but the weather was gorgeous and classes went quickly. We got to leave right after the students as well! While the snow is not quite gone (and god forbid, it may snow tomorrow), it felt like Spring.

I saw robins on my walk!

My day was made better by this:

Seeing the Bruins clinch the President's Trophy!

It was a game that was rough and messy at times , but nonetheless our game . I hope all injured are doing well now. Buffalo worries me because we always drop the puck but this time we nailed them. It felt good.

And on the college hockey front? Go Union!

Day 47!

Clearly we are making responsible decisions. Aka Saturday school is just as awful for teachers.

Cards Against Humanity, beer, and a group of teachers.

A relaxing evening after a walk, because it's finally nice out in spite of all the snow, ended up being a ton of fun. Great game, fun people, mission accomplished.

The benefits of the building my apartment is in. :)

Day 46!

Sometimes happiness is just a nice glass of wine after work.

It was a pretty productive day. Out English meeting was interesting and have me a lot of future ideas and material for planning. The day was dampened by a few language issues (cussing/insulting), but it was mostly good.

Acting and getting into the play has been a bunch of fun. It's such a great play so it can lead to some good convos and reactions.

I hope tomorrow goes as efficiently.

Day 45!

Today had it's challenges.

The morning was pretty good and productive. It was quite busy, but the work was being done. I was pretty happy until last period.

Crickets chirped in response to my questions expect for a tiny handful of students.

To obvious questions.

That told me one thing: they hadn't done the reading of the book they all chose.

I do not believe in lecturing on the novel. You need to read and think. I base much of my teaching on discussion questions and inquisition. It was very hard to have to just stop and tell them to sit and read. I am more disappointed than anything.

My bright spot was my mentor meeting.

As a teacher, I really value working with and getting advice from other teachers.

My mentor is really helpful and supportive. She told me, students have said that they never read because the teacher tells them everything they need to know; I don't do that. They should know this...so we were able to talk strategy and the like.

I hope to get even more out of a 6-12 English teacher meeting tomorrow. It should be an interesting meeting, to say the least, on standards.

Day 44!

In yesterday's whirlwind of working and being wicked tired thanks to the Bruins game, I imagined posting before falling asleep but apparently didn't.

My Tuesday happy event was getting organized and helping my students see what they're learning.

I added in my unit Essential Questions for our new units!

They are on display with the essay due dates and prompts.

I hope by having goals and filled out EQ's (with what we're studying added in) that students will pay attention to it and learn more. I've used it a bit before but I added in things to expect to be more effective.

My board also has a reference link to SAT practice and SAT vocab updated every other day. I am nervous at how quick the SATs are coming up!

Fingers crossed the visuals help keep focus!

Day 43!

Things I don't like: how many times in the past week this app glitched and didn't publish. Sorry to everyone reading; I have actually been doing this daily.

Today was a really, really exhausting day after this past weekend. It was absolutely worth the trip, however. I am just greatful that it was a good day.

My students all got to do some SAT practice (not that they're looking forward to taking the SAT), I am almost done on essay work, and I am about to be teaching two things I am super excited for. As I mentioned in previous entries, I am working with Much Ado. I will also be teaching A Farewell to Arms again to two other classes. What has me all atwitter today, though, is that I started The Great Gatsby. I hope to do my TA/professor Terri proud!

My soundtrack for the day.

Using the software, Prezi (LOVE it!), I created a slideshow for my lecture on The Jazz Age. An awesome thing? It lets you have background music, which auto repeats, so I was able to have "Rhapsody in Blue" play to set the mood. It was a lot of fun to talk about post-WWI America, jazz, the stock market, and all the crazy crime. It's a fabulous time period and Gatsby is a fabulous read.

The other absolute best thing? Today is National Beer Day, which celebrates the end of Prohibition.

The 1920's? Prohibition. I taught Prohibition and Al Capone today, of all days, completely unwittingly. I have previously taught the Salem Witch Trials on Halloween and we will be reading Shakespeare on his birthday.

My nerdy heart swells with joy at it all.

Day 42!

This morning continued by weekend in Boston and I continue to be so glad I came.

I got the chance to attend a jazz brunch in Cambridge with friends and it was fabulous. The food was good, the mimosa was amazing, and the music was phenomenal. It was a great time and a good price.

Patricia Adams and the Ray Santisi Trio

I highly recommend it to anyone! It was a great way to cap off my trip to Boston.

Day 41!

Today marked the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Tau Beta Sigma - Eta Gamma and Kappa Kappa Psi - Theta Beta.

"That the bond may never die."

It was amazing to be back in Boston to see all the new changes and the mix of old and new faces. I had a lovely time and it was a special night.

Eta Gamma, active and alumni.

"From this day, until I rest, with my sisters I am best."

Many more pics to follow on Facebook. I am now, however, off to sleep, happy, but tired.

Day 40!

My second glitch - didn't publish. This is my Friday entry!

So, anyone of you that know me know that I love Shakespeare. The words make sense to me and I think he's jokes are the best. It's a really werid, but nonetheless strong, adoration and obsession.

That translates into teaching Shakespeare. I feel like Tigger. I am full of bouncing energy and by sheer force of exuberant will, want my students to revel in the laughter and joy of the play.

Today, I was happy because of this quirky activity promoted by Folger and various theatre folk and teachers.

Shakespeare Insults!

I have a class of 80% boys and I'm doing Much Ado. Both translate to needing to know insults and enjoying them.

You should have seen their faces when they realized they were not only allowed, but actively encouraged, to call eachother no good, irritating, good for nothing, bastards (in Elizabethan English, of course!).

It was hilarious and got better as we schemed and I introduced the play in the next period.

Day 39!

Not only did this cool cat nail ALL of her grading out, she also laid out base plans/dates for all classes for the rest of the year. What started out as a borderline panic attack because of the rapidly approaching end of the school year turned into a veritable flood of productivity.

My beautiful calendars and two upcoming texts (for most of my students).

I'm super, super happy about all this. My Much Ado Unit Packet is nearly sorted and I have a solid unit overview for Gatsby. I have final and other major assessments for both sorted.

What is happening to me? I'll take it daily for a while?

Classes also seemed to be productive today and I am hopeful to see a lot of improvement in their essays at the due date next week.

I had my first interview today as well (I'm open and undecided about my future so I figured, what the hell?) and I think it went good. I have no idea, but it was an enjoyable chat that boosted me up a bit.

It was nice to have a day that was just that thoroughly good.

This beautiful view on the way to work helped start me out in the right frame of mind.

Day 38!

As a teacher, seeing students learn makes me happy. I have a unique mix of students in my credit recovery night course, but I enjoy working with them and our conversations.

Tonight we had two difficult concepts: American Bureaucracy and satiric writing. And you know what?

They made the connection: satirization of military corruption in bureaucracy!

Some explanations are still weak and it's new, but they're noticing how the themes we've been studying are related to Heller's purpose. It's fun!

My other favorite part of today? A quote: "Um, miss? Can I write two essays? I just can't pick and want to do one blaming each of them."

"Uh, sure, I guess so...but if you do that, you can make them shorter."

"Oh, yeah, no, not much, but thanks."

I am anticipating the full ignorance of the page limit by EVERY single student in that class. First the "Is 5 pages really the limit? Like, will you not read it if we go over?" I conceded to make sure it doesn't reach over ten and they still looked skeptical. What have I done?

Day 37!

This one day, Grading Paper Mountain began to slowly disappear. It was a good day in Teacher Land.

Down to two small folders with less than 20 sheets!

I can see the light!

Perhaps I am close to having my shit at least temporarily together? Maybe? Let's get a little ahead in lesson planning and I'll really be over the moon...but I'm not so much feeling like I'm drowning at this second and that's a nice thing.